10 Pages Essay

Requirement: 
Chose an article to write paper
Write an outline first
The paper should be about 10 double-spaced pages and must be no longer than 18 pages
The paper should contain a list of sources at the end.  The body of the paper should contain specific references to these sources

Topical Outline  
1. Introduction: The Puzzle of the Course: Why the West and not the Rest?  

2. Specialization and trade.  Why these were essential for technological progress.  Spread of ideas and technology.  

3. Malthus.  Population dynamics.  Malthusian equilibrium: population growth and diminishing returns bring the standard of living back to “subsistence level.”  

4. The Pre-Modern World around 1400: Empires, States, and Trading Patterns.  Comparison of China, Europe, and the Islamic Lands 

5. The Early Modern World and the Age of European Exploration, 1500-1750.  Growth of world trade 1500-1800.  Portuguese expansion in Asia, followed by other Europeans.  European colonialism.  Emergence of modern states in some parts of Europe.  

6. Evolution of representative government and democracy in Britain, Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere.  The American and French Revolutions.

7. Military Revolution.  How Europe became superior in naval and gunpowder technology, even before the Industrial Revolution.  The role of military power in the expansion of trade and empire.

8. Industrial Revolution.  Technological changes in Britain.  Various interpretations of why it occurred in Britain and Europe and not elsewhere.  Scientific Revolution of 17th century and its relevance to the industrial revolution.

9. Spread of Industrialization to rest of Europe and to settler colonies of Britain. De-industrialization in the periphery in 19th century.  Colonial pattern of trade: manufactures from Europe, primary products from periphery.

10. Why the West and not the Rest?  Interpretations